Information processing system and true/false determining method used therefor

ABSTRACT

A ROM cartridge 20 and a disk drive 30 are detachably attached to slots 103 and 104 of an information processing unit 10. A magnetic disk 40 is detachably attached to a slot 302 of the disk drive 30. A semiconductor storage device storing a game program and data is provided inside of the ROM cartridge 20. The information processing unit 10 detects whether the ROM cartridge 20 is attached to the slot 103 and whether the disk drive 30 is attached to the slot 104. Then the information processing unit 10 performs predetermined information processing on a basis of program data stored in the ROM cartridge 20 or the disk drive 30 when detecting that the ROM cartridge 20 or the disk drive 30 is attached to the slot 103 or 104, and starts information processing on the basis of the program data stored in the ROM cartridge 20 when detecting that both of the ROM cartridge 20 and the disk drive 30 are attached to the slots 103 and 104.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to information processing systems andtrue/false determining methods used therefor, and more specifically toan information processing system using a plurality kinds of storagemedia and a true/false determining method between the storage media.

2. Description of the Background Art

One example of the information processing system using two kinds ofstorage media is disclosed in the Japanese Patent Laying-Open No.4-303488 filed by the present applicant. The conventional art storesprogram data in a cartridge and stores other data in a CD-ROM to readthe data in the CD-ROM on a basis of a program in the cartridge.

The above-mentioned prior art has a problem that information processingcan not be performed unless the cartridge is inserted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide aninformation processing system having high flexibility, which can performdata processing according to connecting condition of storage media atall times.

Also, another object of the present invention is to provide a true/falsedetermining method capable of recognizing whether a storage medium to beoperated is true or false.

The present invention has the following characteristics to attain theabove objects.

A first aspect of the present invention is an information processingsystem comprising at least two different kinds of storing means and aninformation processing unit having at least a first slot and a secondslot for attaching each of the storing means thereto individually,wherein

the storing means includes at least:

a first storing means used by being inserted to the first slot to storedata including program data, image data and/or audio data in digitalform; and

a second storing means, in which data is stored in a different way fromthe first storing means, used by being inserted to the second slot tostore data including program data, image data and/or audio data indigital form,

the information processing unit includes:

a detecting means for detecting whether the first storing means isattached to the first slot and whether the second storing means isattached to the second slot; and

a processing means, and

the processing means:

performs predetermined information processing on a basis of the programdata stored in the first storing means or the second storing means whichis inserted to the first slot or the second slot respectively when thedetecting means detects that the first storing means or the secondstoring means is inserted to the first slot or the second slot; and

starts information processing on the basis of the program data stored inthe first storing means when said detecting means detects that the firstand the second storing means are inserted to the first and the secondslots.

As described in the above, according to the first aspect, it is possibleto start-up the information processing system freely from variousstorage media, which realizes production of free and diverse software.

A second aspect of the present invention is that, in the first aspect,

the first storing means includes a first responding means generating afirst response signal,

the second storing means includes a second responding means generating asecond response signal, and

the detecting means detects whether the first storing means is attachedto the first slot and whether the second storing means is attached tothe second slot, based on the first response signal from the firstresponding means and the second response signal from the secondresponding means.

As described in the above, according to the second aspect, theinformation processing system detects the response signals, not simplydetecting that something is attached to the slot, which makes itpossible to confirm whether the storing means is attached morecertainly.

A third aspect of the present invention is that, in the second aspect,

the first response signal includes a first priority informationindicating that the first response signal has relatively high priority,

the second response signal includes a second priority informationindicating that the second response signal has relatively low priority,and

the detecting means detects that the first responding means has higherpriority over the second responding means, based on the first and secondpriority information to activate the first storing means prior to thesecond storing means.

As described in the above, according to the third aspect, since thepriority order is not fixed but decided by the priority information andthereby the storage medium to be started can be freely changed,production of free and diverse software can be realized.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is that, in the first aspect,

the first storing means includes a semiconductor storage device, accesstime of which is relatively fast,

the second storing means includes a disk-like storage medium and a diskdrive, access time of which is relatively slow, and

the processing means starts the processing on the basis of the data inthe first storing means which operates at high speed when the detectingmeans detects that the first storing means and the second storing meansare inserted to the first slot and the second slot, respectively.

As described in the above, according to the fourth aspect, judging theconnecting condition of the first and the second storing means andgiving priority to the first storing means having the high speed storagedevice enable the information processing system to realize uniformity,labor-saving and high-speed at the time of start-up.

A fifth aspect of the present invention is that, in the fourth aspect,

a plurality of disk-like storage media are used by being exchangedalternately in the second storing means,

each of the disk-like storage media has a usage order data storage areastoring order data which indicates a usage order, and

the processing means judges whether the disk-like storage medium to beused next has a proper usage order, based on the order data stored ineach of the disk-like storage media and performs the informationprocessing on the basis of the data stored in the disk-like storagemedium only in the case that the disk-like storage medium has the properusage order.

As described in the above, according to the fifth aspect, since theusage order is set in each of the disk-like storage media, it ispossible to prevent a disk from being operated with a wrong order andprevent wrong data from being written in.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is that, in the fourth aspect,

the semiconductor storage device has a first security data storage areastoring first security data,

the disk-like storage medium has a second security data storage areastoring second security data,

the disk drive includes a third storing means storing third securitydata, and

the processing means, when the detecting means detects that the firstand second storing means are inserted to the first and the second slotrespectively, compares the first˜third security data mutually, and onlywhen finding that the first˜third security data have predeterminedrelation, processes the data stored in the disk-like storage medium.

As described in the above, according to the sixth aspect, it isrecognized during each of the operations whether the device to beoperated is authentic or not, thereby making it possible to realizesufficient security.

A seventh aspect of the present invention is that, in the first aspect,

the processing means starts the information processing on the basis ofthe data stored in the first storing means and performs the informationprocessing on the basis of the data stored in the second storing meansas required.

As described in the above, according to the seventh aspect, the datastored in the first storing means and the second storing means can befreely processed alternately, which realizes the production of free anddiverse software.

An eighth aspect of the present invention is an information processingsystem comprising a first storage medium, a second storage medium and aninformation processing unit operating on a basis of data stored in thefirst and/or the second storage medium, wherein

the first storage medium includes:

a program storage area storing a program for information processing;

a first ID data storage area storing first ID data for the first storagemedium; and

a first arbitrary data storage area capable of storing arbitrary data,

the second storage medium includes:

a data storage area storing predetermined data for informationprocessing;

a second ID data storage area storing second ID data for the secondstorage medium; and

a second arbitrary data storage area capable of storing arbitrary data,and

the information processing unit:

writes the first ID data stored in the first storage medium into thesecond arbitrary data storage area of the second storage medium, and/orwrites the second ID data stored in the second storage medium into thefirst arbitrary data storage area of the first storage medium beforeusing the data stored in the second storage medium for a first time; and

when performing the information processing according to the programstored in the first storage medium and the predetermined data stored inthe second storage medium and then using the data stored in the secondstorage medium again, detects whether the second ID data is stored inthe first arbitrary data storage area of the first storage medium and/orwhether the first ID data is stored in the second arbitrary data storagearea of the second storage medium before using the data stored in thesecond storage medium, and only when detecting that the second ID datais stored in the first arbitrary data storage area of the first storagemedium and/or that the first ID data is stored in the second arbitrarydata storage area of the second storage medium, can process the datastored in the data storage area of the second storage medium.

As described in the above, according to the eighth aspect, by using thecommon ID information areas, it is possible to realize uniformity ofcontrol in use and security.

A ninth aspect of the present invention is that, in the eighth aspect,

the first and second storage media are disk-like storage media.

As described in the above, according to the ninth aspect, even the diskwhich has difficulty in keeping security can realize effective security.

A tenth aspect of the present invention is that, in the eighth aspect,

the first storage medium is a semiconductor memory and the secondstorage medium is a disk-like storage medium.

As described in the above, according to the tenth aspect, effectivesecurity can be realized even by a combination of different storagemedia.

An eleventh aspect of the present invention is a true/false determiningmethod used for an information processing system which comprises a firststorage medium including a program storage area storing a program forinformation processing, a first ID data storage area storing a first IDdata and a first arbitrary data storage area capable of storingarbitrary data, a second storage medium including a data storage areastoring predetermined data for information processing, a second ID datastorage area storing a second ID data and a second arbitrary datastorage area capable of storing arbitrary data, and an informationprocessing unit operating on a basis of data stored in the first storagemedium and/or the second storage medium, wherein

the true/false determining method:

before using the data stored in the second storage medium for a firsttime, writes the first ID data stored in the first storage medium intothe second arbitrary data storage area of the second storage mediumand/or writes the second ID data stored in the second storage mediuminto the first arbitrary data storage area of the first storage medium;and

when performing information processing according to the program storedin the first storage medium and the predetermined data stored in thesecond storage medium and then using the data stored in the secondstorage medium again, detects whether the second ID data is stored inthe first arbitrary data storage area of the first storage medium and/orwhether the first ID data is stored in the second arbitrary data storagearea of the second storage medium before using the data stored in thesecond storage medium, only when detecting that the second ID data isstored in the first arbitrary data storage area of the first storagemedium and/or that the first ID data is stored in the second arbitrarydata storage area of the second storage medium, can process the datastored in the data storage area of the second storage medium.

As described in the above, according to the eleventh aspect, by usingthe common ID information areas, uniformity of control in use andsecurity can be realized.

A twelfth aspect of the present invention is a game machine systemcomprising a slot for inserting a cartridge which includes asemiconductor memory storing data and a slot for inserting a disk-likestorage medium which stores data:

automatically starts a game program stored in the cartridge when onlythe cartridge is inserted;

automatically starts the game program in the cartridge when both of thecartridge and the disk-like storage medium are inserted;

automatically starts a game program stored in the disk-like storagemedium when only the disk-like storage medium is inserted; and

can process the data stored in both of the cartridge and the disk-likestorage medium when starting the game program stored in the cartridge.

As described in the above, according to the twelfth aspect, theconnecting condition of the cartridge and the disk is judged and thecartridge is given priority, whereby making it possible to realizeuniformity, labor-saving and high-speed at the time of start-up, and avariety of games.

A thirteenth aspect of the present invention is a game machine systemcapable of managing a plurality of disk-like storage media by providinga common ID information area in each of the disk-like storage media inorder to automatically recognize attributes of the disk-like storagemedia, recording information, which is necessary for the recognition, inthe ID information area to make the ID information areas common amongthe disk-like storage media and executing same processing to all of thedisk-like storage media.

As described in the above, in the thirteenth aspect, by using the commonID information areas, it is possible to realize uniformity of control inuse and security.

A fourteenth aspect of the present invention is that, in the thirteenthaspect, information for recognizing which number of disk-like storagemedium the present disk-like storage medium is among the plurality ofdisk-like storage media composing a group is recorded in the IDinformation area.

As described in the above, according to the fourteenth aspect, since theorder is set in each of the disks, it is possible to prevent a disk frombeing operated with a wrong order and prevent wrong data from beingwritten therein.

A fifteenth aspect of the present invention is that, in the thirteenthaspect,

the game machine system discriminates a disk-like storage mediumbelonging to a prescribed group from a disk-like storage mediumbelonging to another group by writing a specific ID information in eachof the plurality of disk-like storage media composing the prescribedgroup.

As described in the above, according to the fifteenth aspect, by usingthe common ID information areas, it is possible to realize uniformity ofcontrol in use and security. Also, even the disk which has difficulty inkeeping security can realize effective security.

These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of the present invention when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an external view showing a structure of an informationprocessing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of the informationprocessing system according to the embodiment of the present inventionin detail.

FIG. 3 is a memory map showing memory areas of a ROM 21 of a ROMcartridge 20.

FIG. 4 is a detailed block diagram of a disk drive 30.

FIG. 5 is a memory map showing memory areas of a drive ROM 314.

FIG. 6 is a memory map showing memory areas of a magnetic disk 40.

FIG. 7 is a memory map showing memory areas of a RAM 15.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart delineating a former half of an operationaccording to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart delineating a latter half of the operationaccording to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart delineating a sub-routine step 18 of theflowchart in FIG. 9 in detail.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is an external view showing a structure of an informationprocessing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.In FIG. 1, the information processing system of the present embodimentis a video game system, for example and includes an informationprocessing unit 10 which composes the game machine body, a ROM cartridge20 which is an example of an external storage device, a disk drive 30and a magnetic disk 40 which are examples of the external storagedevices, a display 50 which is an example of a displaying meansconnected to the information processing unit 10, a controller which isan example of a controlling means, a RAM cartridge 70 which is anexample of an extended device detachably attached to the controller 60and an extended RAM 80.

The information processing unit 10 is provided with a power switch 101,a reset switch 102, a slot 103 for inserting the ROM cartridge 20therein, a slot 104 for inserting a connector 301 of the disk drive 30therein and a connector 191. A connector 13 and a connector 14 areprovided in the slot 103 and the slot 104 respectively as shown in FIG.2 described later, and are electrically connected to internal circuitsof the information processing unit 10.

A connector 25 is provided in the ROM cartridge 20. The connector 25 isconnected to the connector 13 by the ROM cartridge 20 being inserted inthe slot 103.

The disk drive 30 is provided with the connector 301 and a slot 302. Theconnector 301 is connected to the connector 14 by being inserted in theslot 104. The slot 302 is a slot in which the magnetic disk 40 isinserted. Although the present embodiment has only one slot forinserting a magnetic disk therein, the present invention may be composedso that a plurality of magnetic disks can be inserted and data stored inthe different magnetic disks are sequentially read or data is written inthe magnetic disks. The magnetic disk 40 is a storage medium capable ofmagnetically reading and writing data.

The display 50, as shown in FIG. 2 described later, is an imagedisplaying unit including an image displaying portion 51 and an audiooutputting unit 52.

The controller 60 includes switches 603, 604A˜604F, 605, 606L and 606R,a joy stick 65 and a connecting portion for connecting the RAM cartridge70 thereto, and outputs controller data (including control data of theswitches and the joy stick and data stored in the RAM cartridge 70) tothe information processing unit 10.

The RAM cartridge 70 incorporates a RAM 71 whose capacity is less thanor equal to a half of maximum memory capacity accessible through anaddress bus and is composed of 256k bit RAM, for example. The RAM 71stores backup data relating to a game and holds the stored data by beingpowered through a battery 72 even in the case that the RAM cartridge 70is disconnected from the controller 60.

The extended RAM 80 is provided with a RAM therein and extends storageareas accessed by a CPU.

The external storage device stores audio data such as music, soundeffects as well as image data and program data for informationprocessing for a game or the like, and may be a floppy disk, a PD, ajip, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a MO and a DVD in stead of the ROM cartridge andthe magnetic disk. In the case where the information processing systemof the present invention is realized by a personal computer, an inputunit such as a keyboard and a mouse is used as a controlling means.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the structure of the informationprocessing system according to the embodiment of the present inventionin detail. In FIG. 2, the information processing unit 10 incorporates acentral processing unit (abbreviated as "CPU" hereinafter) 11 and acoprocessor (a reality media coprocessor: abbreviated as "RCP"hereinafter) 12.

The RCP 12 includes an image processing unit (a reality signalprocessor: abbreviated as "RSP" hereinafter) 122 performing coordinatetransformation of polygons, lighting processing and so on, an imageprocessing unit (a reality display processor: abbreviated as "RDP"hereinafter) 123 rasterizing polygon data to an image to be displayedand converting the data into a data format which can be stored in aframe memory, and a bus control circuit 121 controlling buses. Also, tothe RCP 12 are connected the connector 13 for cartridge for detachablyattaching the ROM cartridge 20 thereto, the connector 14 for disk drivefor detachably attaching the disk drive 30 thereto, a RAM 15 and theextended RAM 80 through a connector 151. (A memory map of the RAM 15will be described later in detail.) Further, to the RCP 12 are connectedan audio signal generation circuit 16 for outputting an audio signalprocessed by the CPU 11, an image signal generation circuit 17 foroutputting an image signal processed by the CPU 11 and a controllercontrol circuit 18 for serially transferring control data of one or aplurality of the controllers 60 and/or data of the RAM cartridge 70.Moreover, to the RCP 12 is connected a detection circuit 112 whichdetects whether the ROM cartridge 20 is connected to the connector 13 ornot and/or whether the disk drive 30 is connected to the connector 14 ornot.

A connector 195 provided on a back surface of the information processingunit 10 is connected to the audio signal generation circuit 16. Aconnector 196 provided on the back surface of the information processingunit 10 is connected to the image signal generation circuit 17. Aconnecting portion of the audio outputting unit 52 such as a speaker ofa television set is detachably connected to the connector 195. Aconnecting portion of the image displaying portion 51 such as a CRT of atelevision set is detachably connected to the connector 196. In FIG. 2,though the connector 195 and the connector 196 are illustratedseparately, it may be possible to provide separate connection lines andonly one connector.

Connectors 191˜194 for controller (abbreviated as "connectors"hereinafter) provided on a front surface of the information processingunit 10 are connected to the controller control circuit 18. Thecontroller 60 is detachably connected to the connectors 191˜194 througha jack 61 for connection. In this way, by connecting the controller 60to the connectors 191˜194, the controller 60 is electrically connectedto the information processing unit 10 to enable transmission andreception of data between the controller 60 and the informationprocessing unit 10.

The ROM cartridge 20 packages a ROM 21 which stores data for gameprocessing and a response circuit 22 on a substrate, and accommodatesthe substrate in a housing. The response circuit 22 is a signalgeneration circuit which generates a response signal including prioritydata for the detection circuit 112. Also, the response circuit 22 isformed by short-circuiting two terminals provided on the substrates andmay be formed by short-circuiting terminals in the connector 13 at aresult that the ROM cartridge 20 is installed to the connector 13 andmay detect that the ROM cartridge 20 is installed to the connector 13.Further, the response circuit 22 is a sensor like photo interrupter or amechanical switch and may be a circuit which generates a signal when theROM cartridge 20 is installed to the connector 13.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ROM 21 in the ROM cartridge 20 includes astart-up program storage area 20a, an ID information storage area 20b,an OS storage area 20c, a program storage area 20d, a sound data storagearea 20e and a graphic data storage area 20f.

The start-up program storage area 20a is an area for storing a programfor an IPL (initial program loader) which is executed at first beforethe CPU 11 executes program processing.

The ID information storage area 20b is an area that stores a securitynumber indicating that the ROM cartridge 20 is an authentic cartridge.

The OS storage area 20c is a storage area for storing a program which isused as an OS (operating system) and includes a storage area whichstores a sound micro code, a graphic micro code, a CPU library and thelike. The sound micro code is a program which is loaded into the RSP 122to enable the RSP 122 to perform sound processing. The graphic microcode is a program which is loaded into the RSP 122 to enable the RSP 122to perform graphic processing. The CPU library is a group of a lot ofsub-routine programs for the CPU 11 to perform a predeterminedoperation.

The program storage area 20d is an area that stores programs which theCPU 11 should process and include an image displaying program, an audiogenerating program, a security number comparing program, a gameprocessing program, a magnetic disk data reading program, a datatransferring program, a controller data reading program, a micro codewriting program, a serial number reading program, a serial numberwriting program, a font data reading program, a RAM area detectingprogram, a RAM area setting program and the like.

The sound data storage area 20e is a storage area to store wave data,sequence data and the like.

The wave data is sound source data representing waveforms of sounds. Thesequence data represents music data representing melodies of music andso forth.

The graphic data storage area 20f stores model data, texture data,sprite data and the like. The model data is consisted of coordinate dataof an object which is composed of polygons, and others. The texture datais consisted of color data representing patterns and textures for beingpasted to the polygons, and others. The sprite data is consisted ofcoordinate data of an object which is drawn in a horizontal plane andcolor data.

The disk drive 30 is a device for reading data from a disk-like storagemedium which stores data to be stored in an external ROM (a disk-likestorage medium which is magnetic, optical or the like: for example, afloppy disk, a PD, a jip, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a MO, a DVD or the like). Inthe present embodiment, an example using a writable magnetic disk isdescribed.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the disk drive 30 in detail. In FIG. 4, thedisk drive 30 has a connector and is electrically connected to theinformation processing unit 10 by the connector being connected to theconnector 14 provided in the slot of the information processing unit 10.

After the disk drive 30 and the information processing unit 10 areelectrically connected, a response circuit 312, a drive ROM 314 and aninterface circuit 316 are connected to the bus control circuit 121included in the information processing unit 10. The response circuit 312is connected to the detection circuit 112 through the bus controlcircuit 121 and generates a response signal in response to a signal fromthe detection circuit 112. The detection circuit 112 detects connectingcondition of the disk drive 30 by detecting the response signal. Thedrive ROM 314 stores a start-up program of the disk drive 30 and isaccessed by the CPU 11 through the bus control circuit 121.

FIG. 5 is a memory map of the drive ROM 314. In FIG. 5, the drive ROM314 includes a start-up program storage area 314a, an ID informationstorage area 314b, an OS storage area 314c, a sound data storage area314d and a graphic data storage area 314e. The start-up program storagearea 314a is an area to store a program for an IPL which is executed atfirst before the CPU 11 executes the program processing. The IDinformation storage area 314b is an area that stores a security numberindicating that the magnetic disk 40 is an authentic disk. The OSstorage area 314c is an area for storing a program which is used as anOS (operating system) and stores a sound micro code, a graphic microcode and a CPU library and so forth. The sound data storage area 314d isa storage area to store wave data, sequence data and the like. Thegraphic data storage area 20f is a storage area to store model data,texture data, sprite data, font data and the like. The font data isgraphic data representing fonts of characters, symbols and so on.

The interface circuit 316 is an interface circuit for connecting the buscontrol circuit 121, a servo CPU 318, a spindle motor driver 320, alinear motor driver 322 and a disk controller 324 through buses.

The servo CPU 318 outputs instructions to the spindle motor driver 320,the linear motor driver 322 and the disk controller 324 according to aninstruction from the CPU 11, thereby the servo CPU 318 can control eachof the devices.

The spindle motor driver 320 is connected to a spindle motor 326 andcontrols spin of the spindle motor 326. The spindle motor 326 is a motorto spin the magnetic disk 40. The spindle motor 326 has a sensor fordetermining a position of the magnetic disk 40, making it possible todetect a current position of the magnetic disk precisely.

The linear motor driver 322 is connected to a linear motor 328 andcontrols a drive of the linear motor 328. The linear motor 328 is amotor to make a R/W head 330 operate. The R/W head 330 reads and writesdata from/in the magnetic disk 40.

The disk controller 324 outputs a R/W signal (a read signal and a writesignal) to the R/W head 330. An amplifier 332 amplifies the R/W signalto output the signal to the R/W head 330. When the amplified signal is aread signal, the R/W head 330 reads data from the disk and when theamplified signal is a write signal, the R/W head 330 writes data in thedisk.

FIG. 6 is a memory map of the magnetic disk 40. In FIG. 6, the magneticdisk 40 includes an ID information storage area 40a, an OS (operatingsystem) storage area 40b, a program storage area 40c, a sound datastorage area 40d, a graphic data storage area 40e and a serial numberstorage area 40f.

The ID information storage area 40a includes an area which stores asecurity number, a use of the disk, a serial number, an initial code, aversion number and a disk number. The security number indicates that themagnetic disk 40 is an authentic disk. The use of the disk is code datarepresenting the use of the magnetic disk 40. For example, the use ofthe disk represents a magnetic disk storing a program when the code is0, a magnetic disk storing data such as game data, image data and audiodata when the code is 1 and a magnetic disk for general purpose usewhich does not especially specify a use when the code is 2. The serialnumber is a peculiar number different from magnetic disk to magneticdisk. The initial code is code data representing a name of a programstored in the magnetic disk 40. The version number is code datarepresenting a version at a time of mass production. The disk number iscode data representing which number of disk the present disk is when aplurality of magnetic disks are used to execute the program.

The OS storage area 40b is a storage area for storing a program used asan OS (operating system) and stores a sound micro code, a graphic microcode, a CPU library and so on.

The program storage area 40c is an area that stores programs to beprocessed by the CPU 11 and the program includes an image displayingprogram, an audio generating program, a security number comparingprogram, a game processing program, a magnetic disk data readingprogram, a data transferring program, a controller data reading program,a micro code writing program, a serial number reading program, a serialnumber writing program, a serial number reading program, a font datareading program, a RAM area detecting program, a RAM area settingprogram, and so forth.

The sound data storage area 40d is a storage area to store wave data,sequence data and the like.

The graphic data storage area 40e is a storage area to store model data,texture data, sprite data and the like.

The serial number storage area 40f is an area to store serial numbersstored in ID information storage areas of other magnetic disks.

A memory map of another magnetic disk 41 which will be described lateris the same as the memory map of the magnetic disk 40. Particularly,setting an address of the ID information storage area same as an addressof the serial number storage area makes it easier to compare the serialnumbers of the magnetic disks.

Next, flows of data on buses will be described. The bus control circuit121 in the RCP 12 inputs a command which is outputted as a parallelsignal from the CPU 11 through a bus, converts the command from parallelto serial to output the command as a serial signal to the controllercontrol circuit 18, converts data of the serial signal inputted from thecontroller control circuit 18 to a parallel signal to output theparallel signal to buses. The bus control circuit 121 in the RCP 12controls transmission and reception of an address signal and a datasignal between the CPU 11 and the ROM cartridge 20 and between the diskdrive 30 and the extended RAM 80. Thus, the data outputted by the buscontrol circuit 121 in the RCP 12 is processed by the CPU 11 or storedin the RAM 15, for example. The RAM 15 stores the data outputted to thebuses and the CPU 11, the RSP 122 or the RDP 123 performs writeprocessing/read processing of the RAM 15.

FIG. 7 is a memory map illustrating areas of memories of the RAM 15. InFIG. 7, memory rooms which are accessible by the CPU 11 through the buscontrol circuit 121 and/or memory areas of the RAM 15 which are directlyaccessible by the RCP 12 include an OS storage area 15a, a programstorage area 15b, a sound data storage area 15c, a graphic data storagearea 15d and a buffer area 15e.

The OS storage area 15a is an area for temporarily storing data storedin the OS storage areas of the magnetic disk 40 and the drive ROM 314,stores a sound micro code, a graphic micro code and a CPU library andincludes an OS variable storage area which stores variables generated atthe time of executing the OS.

The program storage area 15b is an area for temporarily storing datastored in the program storage areas of the ROM 21 and the magnetic disk40, stores a program and includes a work area for storing variablesgenerated at the time of executing the program.

The sound data storage area 15c is an area for temporarily storing datastored in the sound data storage areas of the magnetic disk 40 and thedrive ROM 314, stores wave data and sequence data and includes a soundbuffer area used to temporarily store sound data when generating thesound data.

The graphic data storage area 15d is an area for temporarily storingdata stored in the graphic data storage area in the ROM 21, the magneticdisk 40 and the drive ROM 314, stores model data, texture data, spritedata and font data, further stores a display list and includes a framebuffer area and a Z buffer area. The display list is a list of kinds andpositions of polygons to be information processed. The frame buffer areacorresponds to an image to be displayed on the image displaying portion51 and is an area for storing color data for each dot of an imagecreated by the RSP 122 and the RDP 123 in the RCP 12. The Z buffer areacorresponds to the color data stored in the above-mentioned frame bufferarea and is an area for storing depth data for each dot of an imagecreated by the RSP 122 and the RDP 123 in the RCP 12.

The buffer area 15e includes a disk buffer area and a controller datastorage area. The disk buffer area is an area for temporarily storingdata stored in the magnetic disk 40 when the data is transferred. Thecontroller data storage area is a storage area for storing controllerdata transmitted from the controller 60. The controller data includesdata indicating whether the switch 603, 604A˜604F, 605, 606L and 606Rare pushed or not, joy stick data indicating amount of tilt toward a Xaxis and a Y axis of the joy stick 65 and data transmitted from electricdevices (for example, a RAM, a vibrator, an indicator, a temperaturesensor and a humidity sensor) in the RAM cartridge 70.

Next, an operation of the information processing system of the presentembodiment will be briefly explained.

(1) The case where the ROM cartridge 20 is connected to the connector 13and the disk drive 30 is not connected to the connector 14;

When the power switch 101 is pushed, the detection circuit 112 instructseach of the response circuits to generate a response signal. While theresponse circuit 22 outputs a response signal to the detection circuit112, the response circuit 312 can not output a response signal since theresponse circuit 312 is not connected to the connector 14. Therefore,the detection circuit 112 detects that the cartridge is connected to theconnector 13 and makes the CPU 11 be accessible to the ROM 21. The CPU11 executes the start-up program stored in the ROM 21.

(2) The case where the ROM cartridge 20 is not connected to theconnector 13 and the disk drive 30 is connected to the connector 14;

When the power switch 101 is pushed, the detection circuit 112 instructseach of the response circuits to generate a response signal. While theresponse circuit 312 outputs the response signal to the detectioncircuit 112, the response circuit 22 can not output a response signalsince the response circuit 22 is not connected to the connector 13.Therefore, the detection circuit 112 detects that the disk drive 30 isconnected to the connector 14 and makes the CPU 11 be accessible to thedrive ROM 314. The CPU 11 executes the start-up program stored in thestart-up program storage area 314a of the drive ROM 314. Morespecifically, the CPU 11 performs processing for displaying images onthe basis of the model data, the texture data, the sprite data and thefont data stored in the graphic data storage area 314e. For example, theCPU 11 displays letters such as "Please insert a disk". Also, the CPU 11performs processing for generating audio on the basis of the wave dataand the sequence data stored in the sound data storage area 314d. Forexample, the CPU 11 generates sound such as "Please insert a disk".

(3) The case where the ROM cartridge 20 is connected to the connector 13and the disk drive 30 is connected to the connector 14;

When the power switch 101 is pushed, the detection circuit 112 instructseach of the response circuits to generate a response signal. Theresponse circuits 22 and 312 output the response signals to thedetection circuit 112. The detection circuit 112 detects that thecartridge having higher priority is connected to the connector 13 andthereby makes the CPU 11 be accessible to the ROM 21. The CPU 11executes the start-up program stored in the ROM 21. As to the priorityin the above case, it is predetermined that the ROM cartridge 20 ishigher than the magnetic disk 40, therefore, the detection circuit 112detects the ROM cartridge 20 prior to the magnetic disk 40. Also, asanother way, the detection circuit 112 may detect priority datagenerated from each of the response circuits and activate a storingmeans to which the response circuit having higher priority is connected.

Next, a principle of a true/false determining method of the presentembodiment will be explained.

The true/false determining method of the present embodiment is a method,when performing information processing using at least two magnetic disks(a first disk and a second disk) for the disk drive 30, to define therelation between the first disk used at first and the second disk to beused next and prohibit a use of a second disk which is not related tothe first disk.

First, after the first magnetic disk is inserted to the disk drive, theCPU 11 stores a serial number, which is stored in the ID informationstorage area 40a of the magnetic disk 40, in a work area of the RAM 15.Then, after the second disk is inserted in the disk drive 30, the CPU 11writes the serial number in the serial number storage area 40f of thesecond disk. Thus, by writing the serial number in the second disk, thefirst disk and the second disk store the same serial number. The CPU 11,everytime the second disk is inserted, judges whether the serial numberof the second disk is the same as the serial number of the first diskand when the serial number of the second disk is different from theserial number of the first disk, the CPU 11 does not access to thesecond disk as the second disk is a false (counterfeit) disk.Accordingly, the second disk can not be used with any other disks thanthe determined first disk. Specifically, when a plurality kinds ofsecond disks are hold, it is possible to prevent a use of wrong disks.

As another true/false determining method, there is a method that whenperforming information processing using at least one magnetic disk forthe ROM cartridge 20 and the disk drive 30, defines the relation betweenthe ROM cartridge 20 and a first disk used at first and prohibits a useof a first disk which is not related to the ROM cartridge 20.

First, after the first disk is inserted to the disk drive, the CPU 11reads true/false determining information (not shown) stored in the IDinformation storage area 20b of the ROM cartridge 20 and writes theinformation into the first magnetic disk. Thus, by writing thetrue/false determining information into the first disk, the ROMcartridge 20 and the first disk are storing means which store the sametrue/false determining information. The CPU 11, every time the firstdisk is inserted, judges whether the true/false determining informationof the first disk is the same as the true/false determining informationof the ROM cartridge 20 and when both are different, the CPU 11 does notaccess to the first disk as the first disk is a false (counterfeit)disk. Accordingly, the first disk can not be used with any other disksthan the determined ROM cartridge 20. Specifically, when a pluralitykinds of disks are hold, it is possible to prevent a use of wrong disks.

FIG. 8˜FIG. 10 are flowcharts delineating operations of the informationprocessing system according to the present embodiment. Referring to FIG.8˜FIG. 10, the operations of the information processing system accordingto the present embodiment will be explained below.

First, in a Step 1 (marked with "S" in the figures) in FIG. 8, thedetection circuit 112 detects whether the response circuit 22 of the ROMcartridge 20 generates a response signal including predeterminedpriority data. If the detection circuit 112 detects the response signal,a routine proceeds to a Step 2 and if the detection circuit 112 does notdetect the response signal, the routine proceeds to a Step 7. In theStep 2, the CPU 11 starts information processing based on the start-upprogram stored in the start-up program storage area 20a of the ROM 21 inthe ROM cartridge 20 and executes a program based on the program storedin the program storage area 20d. Next, in a Step 3, if the informationprocessing executed at present (for example, a video game) isinformation processing using a magnetic disk, the routine goes to a Step5 and if the information processing executed at present does not use amagnetic disk, the routine goes to a Step 4. In the Step 4, a gameprogram is executed based on the program stored in the program storagearea 20d till the game program is over. In the Step 5, the CPU 11compares the security number stored in the ID information storage area20b of the ROM cartridge 20, the security number stored in the IDinformation storage area 314b of the drive ROM 314, and the securitynumber stored in the ID information storage area 40a of the magneticdisk 40, and then if the security numbers are same, the routine goes toa Step 11 in FIG. 9 and if the security numbers are different, theroutine goes to a Step 6. In the Step 6, the CPU 11 makes the RCP 12create image data and makes the image signal generation circuit 17output an image signal, thereby displaying an error indication on thedisplay 50. The error indication is a message such as "Error ???" or"Your disk is not a correct disk" to let a user know that an erroroccurs. After the error indication, the operation of the informationprocessing unit 10 is ended. As another embodiment, the routine may waittill a correct magnetic disk is inserted and proceed to the Step 11 whenthe correct magnetic disk being inserted.

In the Step 7, the detection circuit 112 detects whether the responsecircuit 312 of the disk drive 30 generates a response signal includingpredetermined priority data. If the detection circuit 112 detects theresponse signal, the routine goes to a Step 9 and if the detentioncircuit 112 does not detect the response signal, the routine goes to aStep 8. In the Step 8, the CPU 11 makes the RCP 12 create image data andmakes the image signal generation circuit 17 output an image signal,thereby displaying an indication on the display 50 to instruct aninsertion of the magnetic disk 40 into the slot 302. The indication is amessage such as "A disk is not inserted" or "Please insert a disk".After the operation in the Step 8 finishes, the routine goes back to theStep 7. In the Step 9, the CPU 11 compares the security number stored inthe ID information storage area 314b of the drive ROM 314 and thesecurity number stored in the ID information storage area 40a of themagnetic disk 40, and if the security numbers are same, the routineproceeds to a Step 10 and if the security numbers are different, theroutine proceeds to the Step 6. In the Step 10, the CPU 11 startsinformation processing based on the start-up program stored in thestart-up program storage area 314a of the drive ROM 314.

In the Steps 1 to 10, in the present embodiment, the case where thepriority data outputted from the response circuit 22 has a higherpriority over the priority data outputted from the response circuit 312is described. However, the response circuit 312 may have a higherpriority over the response circuit 22. In this case, the magnetic disk40 starts the start-up program stored in the start-up program storagearea 20a of the ROM cartridge 20 as number one priority. Also, in thecase that the priority order is not determined, the priority dataoutputted from each of the response circuits may be compared and then aprogram may be started according to the start-up program stored in thestorage medium in which the response circuit having a higher priority isprovided.

In the Step 11 of FIG. 9, the CPU 11 judges whether a plurality ofmagnetic disks should be used or not on the basis of the program storedin the program storage area 40c of the magnetic disk 40. If the CPU 11judges that the game (the information processing) uses the plurality ofmagnetic disks, the routine proceeds to a Step 12 and if the CPU 11judges that the game does not use the plurality of magnetic disks, theroutine proceeds to a Step 20. In the Step 12, the CPU 11 judges whetherthe program stored in the program storage area 20d in the ROM 21 of theROM cartridge 20 should be executed based on the executed program. Ifthe CPU 11 executes the program of the ROM cartridge 20, the routinegoes to a Step 14, and if the CPU 11 does not execute the program of theROM cartridge 20, the routine goes to a Step 13. In the Step 13, the CPU11 executes a program based on the program stored in the program storagearea 40c of the magnetic disk 40 or executes a program based on the datastored in any of the areas in the magnetic disk 40 to proceed to a Step15. In the Step 14, the CPU 11 executes a program stored in the programstorage area 20d to proceed to the Step 15. In the Step 15, the CPU 11judges whether the magnetic disk 40 is necessary to be replaced withanother magnetic disk. If the CPU 11 judges that the magnetic diskshould be replaced, the routine goes to a Step 16 and if the CPU judgesthat the magnetic disk is not necessary to be replaced, the routine goesback to the Step 12. In the Step 16, the CPU 11 makes the display 50display indications such as "Please change the disk". In a Step 17, theuser removes the magnetic disk 40 from the slot 302 and inserts anothermagnetic disk 41 into the slot 302. Next, in a Step 18, the informationprocessing system according to the present embodiment judges therelation between the replaced magnetic disk 41 and the magnetic disk 40which was inserted before. The magnetic disk 41 includes the samestorage areas as those of the magnetic disk 40. (Reference numbers ofthe storage areas of the magnetic disk 41 are assigned the samereference numbers of the storage areas of the magnetic disk 40,hereinafter.)

On the other hand, in the Step 20, the CPU 11 judges whether the programstored in the program storage area 20d in the ROM 21 of the ROMcartridge 20 should be executed based on the executed program. If theCPU 11 executes the program of the ROM cartridge 20, the routine goes toa Step 22 and if the CPU 11 does not execute the program of the ROMcartridge 20, the routine goes to a Step 21. In the Step 21, the CPU 11executes a program on the basis of the program stored in the programstorage area 40c of the magnetic disk 40 and the routine goes to a Step23. In the Step 22, the CPU 11 executes the program stored in theprogram storage area 20d and goes to the Step 23. In the Step 23, whenthe program to be information processed by the CPU 11 finishes, theprocessing is ended and when the program to be information processed bythe CPU 11 does not finish, the routine goes back to the Step 20.

The Step 18 is described by a sub-routine as shown in FIG. 10.

In a Step 181 in FIG. 10, the CPU 11 reads the use of disk stored in theID information storage area 40a of the replaced magnetic disk 41 tojudge whether the magnetic disk 41 is a data disk for general-purposeuse or not. If the magnetic disk 41 is a data disk for general-purposeuse, the routine returns to the Step 12 (at this time, when a format ofthe magnetic disk 41 is a format incapable of storing data, the formatis converted to a format capable of storing data) and if the magneticdisk 41 is not a general-purpose data disk, the routine goes to a Step182. In the Step 182, the CPU 11 reads the use of disk stored in the IDinformation storage area 40a of the replaced magnetic disk 41 to judgewhether the magnetic disk 41 is a data disk or not. If the magnetic disk41 is a data disk, the routine goes to a Step 183 and if the magneticdisk 41 is not a data disk, the routine goes to a Step 185. In the Step183, the CPU 11 reads the initial code, the game version, the disknumber and so on stored in the ID information storage area 40a of thereplaced magnetic disk 41 to judge whether the magnetic disk 41corresponds to the initial code stored in the magnetic disk 40. If themagnetic disk 41 corresponds to the initial code stored in the magneticdisk 40, the routine returns to the Step 12 and if the magnetic disk 41does not correspond to the initial code stored in the magnetic disk 40,the routine proceeds to a Step 184. In the Step 184, the CPU 11 makesthe RCP 12 create image data and makes the image signal generationcircuit 17 output an image signal to display an indication indicatingthat the magnetic disk 41 is a false (counterfeit) magnetic disk on thedisplay 50. The indication may be the same as the indication in theabove-mentioned Step 6. After the indication, the routine goes back tothe Step 17.

In the Step 185, the CPU 11 reads the initial code stored in the IDinformation storage area 40a of the replaced magnetic disk 41 to judgewhether the initial code is the same as the initial code stored in themagnetic disk 40. If the initial codes of the magnetic disk 41 and themagnetic disk 40 are same, the routine proceeds to a Step 186 and if theinitial codes of the magnetic disk 41 and the magnetic disk 40 aredifferent, the routine proceeds to the Step 184. In the Step 186, theCPU 11 reads the disk number stored in the ID information storage area40a of the replaced magnetic disk 41 to judge whether the disk numbercorresponds to the disk number stored in the magnetic disk 40. Forexample, when the disk number of the magnetic disk 40 shows a firstmagnetic disk and the disk number of the magnetic disk 41 shows a secondmagnetic disk, the disk numbers are judged to correspond. However, whichnumber the disk number of the magnetic disk 41 should show in order tobe judged that the magnetic disk 41 corresponds to the magnetic disk 40is freely changeable depending on the executed program. If the disknumbers of the magnetic disk 41 and the magnetic disk 40 correspond, theroutine proceeds to a Step 187 and if the disk numbers of the magneticdisk 41 and the magnetic disk 40 do not correspond, the routine proceedsto the Step 184. In the Step 187, the CPU 11 judges whether the magneticdisk 41 is unused or not. If the magnetic disk 41 is unused, the routinegoes to a Step 188 and if the magnetic disk 41 is a used disk, theroutine goes to a Step 189.

In the Step 188, the CPU 11 writes the serial number stored in the IDinformation storage area 40a of the magnetic disk 40 into the serialnumber storage area 40f of the magnetic disk 41. In the Step 189, theCPU 11 reads the serial number stored in the serial number storage area40f of the replaced magnetic disk 41 to determine whether the serialnumber has the predetermined relation to the data in the ID informationstorage area 40a stored in the magnetic disk 40. For example, the CPU 11judges whether the serial number stored in the serial number storagearea 40f of the magnetic disk 41 is the same as the serial number storedin the magnetic disk 40. Also, each of the data may be scrambled (ordata converted based on a predetermined equation) and the CPU 11 maycompare and judge the data. If the serial number stored in the magneticdisk 41 has the predetermined relation to the data stored in the IDinformation storage area 40a of the magnetic disk 40, the routinereturns to the Step 12 and if the serial number stored in the magneticdisk 41 does not have the predetermined relation to the data stored inthe ID information storage area 40a of the magnetic disk 40, the routinegoes to the Step 184.

Next, specific embodiments of information processing using a pluralitykinds of storage media will be described below.

(First information processing; a role-playing game using a pair ofdisks)

An example realizing a game, in which a hero character travels in aplurality of worlds, using the present invention will be given. Here, itis assumed that a first disk stores a program and image data of a firstworld, and that a second disk stores a program and image data of asecond world. First, before starting the game, a serial number stored inthe first disk is transcribed into a predetermined place of the seconddisk. After that, a user plays the game on a basis of the program andthe image data stored in the first disk with writing data into the diskas necessary. During the user plays the game of the first world for sometime, he/she meets a scene to move to the game of the second world.Then, a message such as "Please insert the second disk." is displayed ona display. By the user inserting the second disk, it is judged whetherthe second disk stores the serial number stored in the first disk andonly when the second disk stores the serial number, the game of thesecond world is started. After that, the user plays the game of thesecond world with writing data into the disk as necessary.

In this way, once the first disk is played using the second disk, sincethe first disk and the second disk are linked, it is impossible tocombine the first disk with other disks than the second disk. As aresult, it is possible to prevent a combination of wrong disks frombeing used.

(Second information processing; a game using a cartridge version racegame+an additional course data disk)

An example realizing a game to race on various courses by a varietykinds of car using the present invention will be given. First, a programand basic course data of a race game is inputted in a cartridge andadditional course data (and/or additional kinds of car data) is inputtedin a disk.

A user plays the game using the cartridge only. However, the userbecomes tired of the game after playing all cars and all courses. Then,he/she buys the additional course data disk and inserts the disk into adisk drive and executes the disk, thereby the user can play courses(and/or kinds of cars) stored in the additional course data disk. Atthis time, a CPU writes true/false determining information stored in thecartridge into the additional course data disk and makes it possible tounable the additional course data disk to be used without the cartridge.

(Third information processing; a painting game using a disk versionpainting tool (a first disk)+a disk for exclusive use (a second disk)+adisk for general-purpose use (a third disk)

An example realizing a painting game, which needs to store a lot of datacreated by a user, using the present invention will be given. First, aprogram and image data of the painting game are inputted into a firstdisk and then a second disk is formatted so as to store image data.

The user inserts the first disk into a disk drive at first to executethe program of a painting tool. Next, the user executes the paintinggame to create images on a display freely with using a controller and amouse. When the user wants to save the images after/during creating theimages, he/she uses a function to save image data added as a function ofthe painting game. Specifically, the user clicks a saving icon displayedon the display using an input unit such as the controller and the mouse.Then, a message such as "Please insert a disk for saving." is displayedon the display. Therefore, the user inserts the disk, in which he/shewants to save the image data, into the disk drive. After the second diskis confirmed to be inserted into the disk drive, the image data iswritten into the inserted disk. If the inserted disk is not a disk forexclusive use but a third disk for general-purpose use, the third diskis formatted as a disk for exclusive use and written the image datatherein. However, in the case where the disk for general-purpose use hasa format in which the image data can be written, the disk need not benewly formatted. Also, if there is enough storage area in the firstdisk, the image data may be written into the first disk.

As described in the above, since the image data can be written intoevery disk, a lot of image data can be freely stored.

(Fourth information processing; a music composing game using a diskversion music tool (a first disk)+a disk for exclusive use (a seconddisk)+a disk for general-purpose use (a third disk) )

While the third information processing is image data creatingprocessing, the fourth information processing is music data creatingprocessing. A method to store data in disks is almost the same as thethird information processing.

Also, by checking initial codes stored in disks, it is possible torecognize disks of other corresponding tools. Accordingly, it ispossible to link a disk storing image data and a disk storing music datato use. Specifically, the music data created with using the presentmusic tool is written into the disk for painting tool of theabove-described third information processing, which enable to storeimage data with music in the disk for painting tool. Consequently, it ispossible to display animations, picture cards and so on and generatesound corresponding to the display from a speaker.

While the invention has been described in detail, the foregoingdescription is in all aspects illustrative and not restrictive. It isunderstood that numerous other modifications and variations can bedevised without departing from the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information processing system comprising atleast two different kinds of storage devices and an informationprocessing unit having at least a first slot and a second slot forattaching each of the storage devices thereto individually, whereinsaidat least two different kinds of storage devices includes at least:afirst storage device used by being inserted to said first slot to storedata including at least one of program data, image data and audio datain digital form; and a second storage device, in which data is stored ina different way from said first storage device, used by being insertedto said second slot to store data including at least one of programdata, image data and audio data in digital form, said informationprocessing unit includes:a detector which detects whether said firststorage device is attached to said first slot and whether said secondstorage device is attached to said second slot; and a processor whichperforms predetermined information processing on a basis of the programdata stored in said first storage device or said second storage devicewhich is inserted to said first slot or said second slot respectivelywhen said detector detects that the first storage device or the secondstorage device is inserted to the first slot or the second slotrespectively; and which processor starts the information processing onthe basis of the program data stored in said first storage device whensaid detector detects that said first storage device is inserted to saidfirst slot and that said second storage device is inserted to saidsecond slot; wherein said first storage device includes a firstresponder which generates a first response signal, said second storagedevice includes a second responder which generates a second responsesignal, and said detector detects whether said first storage device isattached to said first slot and whether said second storage device isattached to said second slot, based on said first response signal fromsaid first responder and said second response signal from said secondresponder; and further wherein said first response signal includes afirst priority information indicating that the first response signal hasrelatively high priority, said second response signal includes a secondpriority information indicating that the second response signal hasrelatively low priority, and said detector detects that said firstresponder has higher priority over said second responder, based on saidfirst and second priority information to activate said first storagedevice prior to said second storage device.
 2. An information processingsystem comprising at least two different kinds of storage devices and aninformation processing unit having at least a first slot and a secondslot for attaching each of the storage devices thereto individually,whereinsaid at least two different kinds of storage devices includes atleast:a first storage device used by being inserted to said first slotto store data including at least one of program data, image data andaudio data in digital form; and a second storage device, in which datais stored in a different way from said first storage device, used bybeing inserted to said second slot to store data including at least oneof program data, image data and audio data in digital form, saidinformation processing unit includes:a detector which detects whethersaid first storage device is attached to said first slot and whethersaid second storage device is attached to said second slot; and aprocessor which performs predetermined information processing on a basisof the program data stored in said first storage device or said secondstorage device which is inserted to said first slot or said second slotrespectively when said detector detects that the first storage device orthe second storage device is inserted to the first slot or the secondslot respectively; and which processor starts the information processingon the basis of the program data stored in said first storage devicewhen said detector detects that said first storage device is inserted tosaid first slot and that said second storage device is inserted to saidsecond slot; wherein said first storage device includes a semiconductorstorage device having a relatively fast access time, said second storagedevice includes a disk-like storage medium and a disk drive having arelatively low access time, and said processor starts the processing onthe basis of the data in said first storage device which operates athigh speed when said detector detects that said first storage device andsaid second storage device are inserted to said first slot and saidsecond slot, respectively, and further wherein; a plurality of disk-likestorage media are used by being exchanged alternately in said secondstoring device, each of said disk-like storage media has a usage orderdata storage area storing order data which indicates a usage order, andsaid processor judges whether the disk-like storage medium to be usednext has a proper usage order, based on the order data stored in each ofthe disk-like storage media and performs the information processing onthe basis of the data stored in the disk-like storage medium only in thecase that the disk-like storage medium has the proper usage order.
 3. Aninformation processing system comprising at least two different kinds ofstorage devices and an information processing unit having at least afirst slot and a second slot for attaching each of the storage devicesthereto individually, whereinsaid at least two different kinds ofstorage devices includes at least:a first storage device used by beinginserted to said first slot to store data including at least one ofprogram data, image data and audio data in digital form; and a secondstorage device, in which data is stored in a different way from saidfirst storage device, used by being inserted to said second slot tostore data including at least one of program data, image data and audiodata in digital form, said information processing unit includes:adetector which detects whether said first storage device is attached tosaid first slot and whether said second storage device is attached tosaid second slot; and a processor which performs predeterminedinformation processing on a basis of the program data stored in saidfirst storage device or said second storage device which is inserted tosaid first slot or said second slot respectively when said detectordetects that the first storage device or the second storage device isinserted to the first slot or the second slot respectively; and whichprocessor starts the information processing on the basis of the programdata stored in said first storage device when said detector detects thatsaid first storage device is inserted to said first slot and that saidsecond storage device is inserted to said second slot; wherein saidfirst storage device includes a semiconductor storage device having arelatively fast access time, said second storage device includes adisk-like storage medium and a disk drive having a relatively low accesstime, and said processor starts the processing on the basis of the datain said first storage device which operates at high speed when saiddetector detects that said first storage device and said second storagedevice are inserted to said first slot and said second slot,respectively; and further wherein said semiconductor storage device hasa first security data storage area storing first security data, saiddisk-like storage medium has a second security data storage area storingsecond security data, said disk drive includes a third storage devicestoring third security data, and said processor, when said detectordetects that said first and second storage device are inserted to saidfirst and said second slot respectively, compares said first to thirdsecurity data mutually, and only when finding that the first to thirdsecurity data have predetermined relation, processes the data stored insaid disk-like storage medium.